• 48% (24) of the listees are based in the UAE, with 11 in Saudi, and four in Egypt.
  • The most populated sector is hotels and hospitality, with 26 entries.
  • Heads of the Emirates Group, Qatar Airways, and Dubai Airports make up the top three.

Dubai, UAE: Forbes Middle East has revealed its inaugural ranking of the region's Top 50 Travel and Tourism Leaders, recognizing the industry heavyweights driving growth and creating opportunities for visitors and passengers to reconnect with the world.

Among the top five executives, four serve in the aviation sector, led by Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of the Emirates Group, who tops the ranking. Emirates recorded revenues of $6.7 billion in the first half of the 2021/22 financial year. Akbar Al Baker, Group CEO and Executive Board Member of Qatar Airways, and Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, complete the top three.

The leaders featured on this list represent nine countries in the region. The UAE reigns as the top country for regional headquarters, with 24 of the 50 executives based in the emirates. Saudi comes in second with 11 featured executives, followed by four from Egypt. Hotels and hospitality is the most represented sector with 26 entries, followed by aviation with 17, and tourism with seven entries.

From global agency representatives to sustainable development game-changers, the leaders on this list are spearheading growth in MENA. For example, in May 2021, Basmah Al Mayman, Regional Director for the Middle East at UNWTO, inaugurated UNWTO's first regional office in the Middle East in Riyadh. Meanwhile, Sandeep Walia, CCO Middle East of Marriott International, added 20 new properties to the region's portfolio in 2021 and is expected to open around 25 new properties this year. And the OMRAN Group, led by CEO Hashil Al Mahrouqi, announced in early 2022 it will be investing $62.3 million in opening a dusitD2 Naseem Resort.

To develop the list, Forbes Middle East looked at the size of the business—including revenues and the value of investments and assets—ownership of assets, and the experience, designation, and achievements of the business leader. All individuals had to be based in the Middle East.

 

Top 50 Travel & Tourism Leaders In The Middle East 2022

 

Country Breakdown

 

UAE

24

Saudi Arabia

 

11

Egypt

4

Qatar

3

Jordan

Kuwait

Oman

 

2

Algeria

Morocco

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top 10 Travel & Tourism Leaders In The Middle East 2022

  1. Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum : Country: UAE, Nationality: Emirati, Chairman and CEO, The Emirates Group
  2. Akbar Al Baker: Country: Qatar, Nationality: Qatari, Group CEO and Executive Board Member, Qatar Airways Group
  3. Paul Griffiths: Country: UAE, Nationality: British, CEO, Dubai Airports
  4. Ibrahim Koshy: Country: Saudi Arabia, Nationality: Saudi, CEO, SAUDIA
  5. Faisal Al Thani: Country: Qatar, Nationality: Qatari, Chairman, Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (ARTIC)
  6. Tony Douglas: Country: UAE, Nationality: British, Group CEO, Etihad Aviation Group
  7. Jerry Inzerillo: Country: Saudi Arabia, Nationality: American, Group CEO, Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA)
  8. Hesham Al Qassim: Country: UAE, Nationality: Emirati, CEO, wasl Asset Management Group
  9. John Pagano: Country: Saudi Arabia, Nationality: Canadian, CEO, Red Sea Development Company
  10. Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor: Country: UAE, Nationality: Emirati, Founding Chairman, Al Habtoor Group

Click here to view the complete Middle East's Top 50 Travel & Tourism Leaders 2022 list.

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About Forbes Middle East

Forbes Middle East is a licensed edition of Forbes for the Arab world, championing inspiring business journalism and entrepreneurial capitalism. Its online and social platforms break news covering billionaires, business, investment, technology, economy, entrepreneurship, leadership, and luxury lifestyles. The monthly magazine, featuring in-depth interviews with the Middle East's most influential and innovative leaders, is published in print in English and Arabic, with digital versions available to both regional and global audiences online.

Forbes Middle East extends the Forbes brand of journalism across the Arab world, conducting its own comprehensive research to publish original lists that adhere to strict methodologies. Its content attracts business leaders, investors, active and potential entrepreneurs, and a wide audience of ambitious and influential executives.

Media Contact
Juweyria Hersi,
Hersi@forbesmiddleeast.com